Friends of Meigs comment on USACE study of Meigs property

Friends of Meigs Field offer comments on Army Corps of Engineers study for
Meigs property

7/7/2012,
Chicago--As you may know, if you have followed the Meigs Field story in recent
years, the
Chicago Park District announced in 2010 a "framework plan" for the
development of Northerly Island (the Meigs property) as a nature park. Since the
airport's illegal midnight demolition in March, 2003, there has been only some
prairie grass and a bike path on the bulk of the property, as the Park District
has been too short of funds to build anything more interesting.

In the study, the USACE evaluates a number of different
options for the property, comparing costs and benefits for a variety of nature
elements, including a pond, marshland, savannah, etc.

A 30-day comment period expired on July 7, and the
Friends of Meigs Field submitted comments on a variety of issues, including
environmental contaminant concerns, erosion issues, possible issues with soil
sampling locations based on the site description, and even the title of the
report. (In no way can the project be considered "restoration"; the land did not
exist prior to the 1920's, and was never home to any land-based "ecosystem.")

The Friends of Meigs Field expressed thanks for the
opportunity to comment on these plans, but pointed out that there was never an
opportunity to comment in advance on the far more important decision to destroy
the airport overnight in the first place.

Parks and Planes plan offers win-win alternative The group
also expressed hope that--with full consideration of the needs of ALL
parties--win/win options can be found that would benefit air travelers, park
users and the ecosystem alike. One option, developed by the Friends of Meigs, is
the award-winning Parks and Planes plan, introduced in 2003. Other, even bolder
options are available.

The Friends of Meigs Field has not been impressed that the
Corps' partner--the Chicago Park District--has an open mind for such options at
this time, absent significant leadership from elected city officials.